PEX Water system refit?

[FDR14127]

Anyone had any experience refitting the water system using PEX and Sharkbite fittings in the marine environment? I know Whale has a system for the marine and RV market, but Sharkbite looks equally robust and is available at Lowe's and Home Depot. Just thinking at this point...

[waterdog52]

Seems like i read an article in "Practical Sailor" using plex in a retrofit. Maybe look on thier website.

[deniseO30]

sharkbite fittings are pricey. I'd suggest using pex that uses squeeze collars. But then you would need to buy or rent the special tools.

[capecodda]

Our boat was built with the SeaTech version of this stuff. So far so good, just be sure you use the right sized fittings if you need to replace one. I learned the hard way that some of the PEX stuff from a local hardware store and SeaTech stuff was different diameter, and emptied my fresh water supply into the bilge when it let go. I think I mixed metric with inches . These fittings are sure easy to install, cut the tubing and push it in. Not sure if there is any difference between the "marine" marketed stuff and the stuff in the hardware store.

[kd3pc]

if you use crimp rings, get the good stuff, else the cheap ones will corrode away in no time. Also if you use the rings, make sure that you have some "shark bite" connectors of the proper size, just in case you have to make a repair and the tools are not available.

I have seen rings, shark bite as well as the marine versions of both and all seem to be far better than the gray stuff or vinyl and hose clamps.

I use red and blue colored PEX so there is never confusion as to which is hot and cold. I then use tape to mark the supply side and make a map of where the PEX runs.

All the best in your refit

[Faster]

Our boat was redone in red and blue and we've had to cycle the fittings a few times here and there.. the system seems to work very well.

[FDR14127]

Yes I am leaning to the Sharkbite connectors because they can be fitted in the tight quarters under the sink and in the bilge. Other systems (Wispro etc.) require room to swing the compression tool, and that's a problem. They may be more expensive but we don't need many on a 30ft. boat.

I am encouraged as I have never seen PEX fitted to a boat and I want to clean up the system and install a 10" filter system as well.

thanks for the info

fdr